Opening arguments began Thursday in a federal civil suit that claims a Zion police officer acted recklessly and used excessive force when he shot and killed a black teenager nearly three years ago.

In April 2015, Zion officer Eric Hill, who is white, shot and killed 17-year-old Justus Howell after a brief pursuit in the 2300 block of Gilead Avenue in Zion. Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim in May 2015 found the officer's use of force justified.

Authorities said the chase began after Howell, who lived in Waukegan, tried to steal a semi-automatic pistol from a man from whom he had initially arranged to buy the weapon for $600. A surveillance video shows the two fighting. Howell at one point aimed the gun at the man, who pushed the weapon to the ground, where it then discharged, authorities said.

At about 2 p.m. that day, a call came in reporting a fight between two men and gunshots. Hill and college intern Jared Henderson, who was riding along, responded, according to trial testimony.

Henderson, now an officer with the Kenosha Police Department in Wisconsin, said in testimony Thursday he did not see a gun when the squad car approached Howell. Hill ordered Henderson to stay in the car, Henderson said.

Hill and the city claim that, after a short pursuit while telling Howell to stop, the police officer saw a flash of silver in Howell's right hand that Hill ascertained to be a gun. Howell was shot twice in the back, according to his autopsy report.

According to authorities, Hill said Howell turned toward him with the gun in his hand and, fearing for his life and the lives of two officers Howell was headed toward, he shot two rounds in rapid succession.

The deceased's grandmother Alice Howell, the plaintiff in the case, is seeking damages from Hill and the city of Zion.

In his opening remarks to the jury, plaintiff's attorney Carlton Odim accused Hill of covering up his actions after the shooting. Defense attorney Thomas DiCianni objected to the term "covered up," but was overruled by Judge Thomas Durkin.

The plaintiffs argue the gun found on Howell was in his pocket and thrown onto the grass following the shooting, and that the wounds on his back are inconsistent with the defense's story. They also claim a surveillance video of the incident does not show Howell turning around.

The plaintiffs also said that ballistics expert Ronald Scott, who is yet to testify in the trial, found that the location of shell casings recovered at the scene put Hill much closer to Howell than the officer claimed.

Odim characterized Hill as "stalking" Howell and "doctoring the scene" to cover up his actions. He said Howell's fingerprints were not found on the trigger, stock or handle of the 9mm handgun.

"Hill shot Justus … and lied about it," he said.

Dennis Howell

Justus Howell, 17, was fatally shot by Zion police April 4, 2015.

Justus Howell, 17, was fatally shot by Zion police April 4, 2015.

(Dennis Howell)

The defense claimed there is forensic evidence to the contrary that links Howell to the gun, but did not elaborate.

DiCianni asked the jury to keep an open mind and to consider Hill's perspective.

He said that Henderson, the college student, did not have the proper training to notice the stance Howell had when he was first spotted — shoulders hunched and arms folded in front of him — that indicate to officers that a suspect may be holding a gun.

DiCianni said that this case is sad for all involved, including Howell's family and Hill, who only shot because he believed Howell was desperate and a threat to his life.

"All he had to do was stop," DiCianni said. "He was a juvenile. He probably wouldn't have gone to jail."

Hill was doing what he was trained to do in that situation, the attorney said. He added that the independent task force that determined Hill was justified interviewed witnesses, including two children who said Howell indeed had a gun in his hand.

"Keep in mind, Eric Hill responded to a 911 call," DiCianni said. "In a split-second, he had to make a decision of what to do. … He couldn't wait to see what Justus' true intentions were."

Mark Kodiak Ukena / Lake County News-Sun

Alice Howell, Justus Howell's grandmother, speaks during a rally in memory of Justus Howell and supporting all who lost their loved ones due to law enforcement killings, on April 4, 2016, in Zion. Alice Howell is the plaintiff in a federal court trial about her grandson’s death, which began Thursday.

Alice Howell, Justus Howell's grandmother, speaks during a rally in memory of Justus Howell and supporting all who lost their loved ones due to law enforcement killings, on April 4, 2016, in Zion. Alice Howell is the plaintiff in a federal court trial about her grandson’s death, which began Thursday.